17. Bree

17

Bree

I sat on my bed. Leah sat on the other, while Adilyn reclined on top of her log in her Faerie form.

"You were effing lucky that Cara knew you were in trouble," the Faerie snarked. "They might never have found you."

We'd decided to let people think that Cara had sensed my predicament. As she pointed out, most people had no idea what a Watcher was capable of.

"I didn't realize my flight muscles would fail when they got cold," I injected a bit of indignation into my voice. "Live and learn."

"If you don't know what you're doing, practice flying with a buddy." The edge to Adilyn's scolding increased. "It isn't as if you were born to it. Flying is hard. Even Faeries get it wrong now and then. Well, some Faeries, but never me."

I sensed an undercurrent of concern beneath her abrasive tone.

But I had a question. "Did you guys know I can shift to a Gryphon?"

Leah waved a hand. "The entire school knows you can do that."

"Thanks largely to Leah's effing big mouth." Adilyn was on a roll.

Leah shrugged, unphased by the criticism. "People want to know."

The Faerie frowned at her, but then her gaze returned to me. "We all know that Sorceress did a number on you guys."

"Did Riggs really carry you home in his arms?" Leah said with a dreamy sigh.

"Yes." It blew my mind that he'd actually envisioned where I was. But it had saved me. Saved us.

"Were they as strong as they looked?" Her dark eyes glimmered.

"Very big and muscley, I am sure." Adilyn was likely rolling her eyes. It was hard to tell when she was only two inches tall.

"I was kind of out of it," I hedged. "So I'm not sure I noticed."

A snort of disdain echoed through my mind, but Caliel didn't comment. I tried not to let that worry me.

I was exhausted and crawled beneath the covers. Even when I pulled them up to my chin, however, neither female looked inclined to move. And then a spot along the wall shimmered…

"Nar, we are not going to do a threesome," I said in exasperation.

A section of the wall stepped away, and the Sea Krayt materialized. "How about a foursome?" he asked hopefully.

"No."

"No," Adilyn insisted at almost the same moment. "If you are looking for entertainment tonight, you can look elsewhere. Be off with you."

The little puff of sparkly dust was a giveaway, but neither Nar nor Leah seemed to notice it. Leah rose, and Nar wound an arm around her before escorting her out the door.

"I am glad you are okay," Adilyn stated. "You are a good roommate. You don't actually snore, and your farting is kept to a minimum."

I bit my lip and decided to take it as it was meant—an honest assessment of my value as a roomie. "Thanks, Adilyn."

As she disappeared into her log, I decided that there was something to be said for her honesty. It wasn't always easy to hear, but it reduced the insecurity of deciphering truths in platitudes.

And that meant you could trust her.

I reached to switch off the dresser lamp and lay in the darkness, staring up at the moonlight on the ceiling. Usually, when I started to nod off, I sensed Caliel with me. Ready to take over and fly us through our dreams.

Not tonight. Tonight, I felt very much alone. The bed was comfortable. I drifted, remembering Riggs's strong arms around me, his legs enfolding me in his warmth…

I stood upon a hill. All around me were grasses, rippling in the night breeze.

Above me were the moons. Like before, three. But only one shone bright. The second was so dim it almost didn't exist. And the third was covered by clouds.

Movement against the night sky—and I heard the soft whisper of wind against Dragon wing. I tensed—could Victor have invaded my dreams? But then the Dragon dropped low, and I saw the deep-purple hues reflecting off his scales.

Razir. Or Riggs?

He skimmed over the grassland, following the gentle, hilly contours of the land. Growing closer, until he braked, hovering, no more than twenty feet from me. The wind from his beating wings flattened the grasses and blew my hair back from my face.

Then he landed. He crouched there, with his wings half-furled, as though considering leaving again.

I walked toward him. When I reached out a hand, he took a long step back, and then froze.

I stood there, fingers outstretched, then ever so slowly, as if I approached a wild animal, I stepped into him. Until I could touch his jaw.

He flinched, but held his ground. I stroked along the soft scales, and then, I said, "Shift for me."

A shudder ran through him, and he went to pull away.

"Shift for me, Riggs," I repeated.

As if the name linked to his very soul, the Dragon fell away, and left the man standing there. It wasn't a normal shifting, more like the animal vanished, and left the human in its stead.

Riggs, not Razir. Totally naked. Not a scale in sight. Suddenly I had trouble breathing.

One corner of his lips twitched upward, and he reached to cup my face with one big hand.

"Hello, Breana." That breathy last syllable, rumbling softly in his deep voice, almost took me out at the knees. It promised all kinds of things that I'd always dreamed of, but never had. Loyalty. Safety.

I didn't dare take those thoughts any further…

Then he bent. And kissed me.

This was not Victor's possessive mashing of lips. Riggs started slowly, gently, almost as though I were made of glass. Touched his lips to mine, then ran his tongue around the contours, as if seeking permission to enter.

It electrified every nerve ending, and when I opened for him, his tongue entered, tangling with my own. I moaned, and his hand drifted along my throat, the tips not quite touching—but I felt their warmth, and when they dropped to my breast, the heat pulsed through to my core.

Because my breast was exposed. Not covered in fur. At some point, I had become as naked as him.

As my mind stuttered, afraid of what that might mean, Riggs transferred his lips to my throat while his thumb stroked across my erect nipple, and my thoughts dissolved in static.

He may not remember being a warrior, but he moved like one. His strong hands made promises that my heart knew he would keep. They slipped along my midriff, the fingers dancing over my skin as they sought what resided between my legs. His fingers were as big as the rest of him, and rough across the tips—and when they slipped deep, rubbing in circles, I dissolved. My knees shook, threatening to buckle.

When he dropped to his knees before me and lifted my leg high over his shoulder to back up his fingers with his clever tongue, I lost all strength. Only his hand held me upright. I was making noises that I'd never made before, lost in his expert touch.

How did he know just where and how to touch me? But he did, skillfully bringing me so close to the edge that I panted with it.

I pulled my leg off him and rubbed my body down the full length of his, until my heat hovered right above the burgeoning head of him. His breath caught, and the hands now bracing my buttocks tightened.

And then I slid onto him. He was big, so big, and I had to stretch to pull him in.

"Breanaaa…" he breathed my name again, the syllables wrapping around my heart, and I moaned, pushing him the last inch to seat him deep. Then I began to move, up and down and side to side, while he rumbled a continuous groan. His head fell back, his lips peeling from teeth that flashed white in the moonlight.

He hit every delicious button I possessed, and I gasped with the sensations coursing through me. My body tightened, and he swelled within me, until both of our breaths became a series of staccato exhalations.

Then he began to thrust, powerfully, lifting me with every one, and I came apart. Wave after wave, and with a shout, he came too, his body arcing upward.

I woke with a gasp and lay there panting as the waves coursed through me. Was pretty sure I'd cried out, which was a definite step up from snoring. I shot the log a look, but it remained in darkness.

For all I knew, my roomie could be pressed to the window. I rolled over and put my back to it.

My body felt so alive, it was difficult to believe it had only been a dream. But there was something missing.

A certain grumpy Gryphon, telling me to eat more powder.

Only then did I realize I was naked. My scaled, furred, and feathered clothes were gone.

I reached for him, but there was no one there.

I sat in my black academy clothes and added two full tablespoons of crystal dust to my breakfast.

On top of my cycle powder, it made for some damned grainy eggs.

Are you there? I asked, pushing.

He stirred within me, but I sensed how sluggish he was. Where else would I be? The words were completely devoid of emotion.

You've been awfully quiet.

I've had nothing to say.

I sighed and added another tablespoon to my scrambled eggs. Never thought I would want the grumpy Caliel back, but anything was better than this indifference.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Riggs sat with Sid opposite me, their towering forms overpowering that side of the table.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I told him. "Another ten hot showers ought to get the ice out of my bones."

Sid's brows lowered. "You were damned lucky you didn't freeze to death."

"Yeah, I was," I agreed. Riggs had likely told the Anisau the same story that I'd told Adilyn, but figured the conversation was best diverted. "So not looking forward to special abilities."

Sid's big mouth pulled straight. "Yes. I am also not looking forward to it. I prefer the run afterward." His face looked so tense…

"Riggs and I are working with Cara, but what do other students do?"

"Everyone is matched with an instructor that specializes in their talent," Sid explained. "We have quite a variety of abilities among the students. The largest group, though, are the shapeshifters."

Adilyn waved a piece of toast that had an odd color. "They stand around in a group and practice changing back and forth between human and whatever effing else they are. Mostly Dires, but there are a few Dragons and, of course, Nar and Leah. Sid is the only Anisau."

"Good thing, too," Sid stated.

Something softened in the Faerie's face. "You are improving."

Her voice had a hesitant note to it, and I glanced at her.

"I am not," Sid growled. "As soon as I sprout fur, I lose it." He shot a glance at me and swallowed. "My people tend to have anger issues, but I take it another step further."

"He goes completely savage," Leah stated cheerfully, stabbing a chunk of steamed fish on her plate. "Almost nine feet of hair and attitude." She batted her eyes at the big shifter. "Bet I could tame you, if you'd let me."

Nar stopped chewing and eyed Sid hopefully.

Sid tossed his fork onto his tray. "I would rip you into small furry bits," he stated emphatically as he rose. "I'll see you guys at the run."

I stared after him.

"He's got issues with shifting." Adilyn's eyes were also following the Anisau's progress out of the cafeteria. "I think he's so afraid of losing control that it pretty much ensures it."

"He's awesome as a beast," Leah breathed. "So— big ."

"Don't you ever think of anything else?" Adilyn snarked.

Leah frowned at her.

"No," Nar provided.

Riggs snorted a laugh as the Faerie rolled her eyes.

"What do you work on for special abilities?" I asked Adilyn.

She waved her fingers in the air, and glittering dust swirled off them. "Bess is helping me with my glamors. With me being full-sized, it affects what I can do."

Nar's eyes tracked the dust motes as they fell to the table. Adilyn glared at him. Then, with an impatient motion of one hand, she brushed them toward him.

His face lit right up as he pulled out his pouch and guided the dust inside. I noticed it looked fairly full.

"Have you been collecting in our room?" the Faerie demanded. "The dust is gone."

Nar hesitated.

"You haven't sneaked into their room, have you?" Leah asked.

"I didn't want to disturb them," he replied defensively.

"Nar…" Leah frowned at him.

"What's the harm?" he protested. "Housekeeping goes in all the time. They would just throw it away."

"Stay out of my room," Adilyn growled.

Leah looked uncomfortable. I remembered him with the ring and the armlet—and made a mental note not to leave anything of value in the room.

Cara appeared at the cafeteria entrance.

"Looks like breakfast is over," Riggs noted.

I hurriedly swallowed the last of my eggs, wincing at the grit provided by the crystal dust. I'd never liked taking the stuff, but if it helped Caliel, I'd do it.

As I joined Riggs and we headed to Cara, my thoughts were on the Gryphon living inside me.

Are you feeling any stronger?

A pause, before he answered with a hint of his old bite. I am what I am. A bit of dust will not change it.

I puzzled on that as we reached Cara. Was he weakening, or withdrawing? Neither was good, but one I might be able to assist with.

Cara smiled at us, and we followed her out through the building and across the back field.

"Back to the beach?" Riggs asked.

"Best place for now," Cara stated. "No distractions, and if things go haywire, minimal potential damage."

She took us through the gate to the beach. Riggs drew his sword, which gleamed in the sunlight. I stared at the runes running along the blade and up the hilt.

"What do those say?" I asked.

"No idea." He raised a brow and regarded Cara. "We have to discuss this sword."

"And we will," she said. "But for now, concentrate."

Riggs heaved a sigh and then placed the weapon's tip into the sand. A moment later, droplets of water rose into the air, and I stood near him and reached for Caliel.

He didn't answer, but when I called up my memories of fear and anger, the Ice Drake uncoiled all on its own and rose to the surface.

Blue scales and talons—but this time, my arms began to thicken, and my body to change.

As I grew in size, Cara said, "Try to minimize the physical alteration, if you can. I'm working on this with Marcus, too—to tap into the Drake's power, without completely altering your form."

I nodded, and reached for Caliel. Can you hold back on the transformation?

For a long moment, there was no response. Then, finally, Maybe. He didn't sound at all sure. Or even all that interested. My body continued to alter, pushing against my clothes, and I heard seams give way. I sensed the monster's joy at, finally, being allowed to emerge.

It hurt, but not as much as I expected it to. Maybe my body was finally getting accustomed to changing shape.

Then the thin cord holding the crystals around my neck snapped, and they clinked as they dropped to the sand.

Cara reached for me as my alteration accelerated, but the monster would not be controlled this time, and it fought her. The ice spread from the ground at our feet, and raced toward waves that once again froze in mid-break. Riggs, with his glowing sword sunk into the sand, held the bits of frozen foam aloft.

My Ice Drake form was now looking down on both Cara and him. I felt as though all the rage and pain I held inside was pouring into the thing I was becoming. It was a heady, as well as terrifying, sensation.

The suspended water droplets formed daggers of ice that glowed in the sunlight, and ice raced over the water as far as we could see.

"That's enough, Bree. Time to put it back in the box." Cara's voice was unusually tense.

Riggs let the daggers drop. They shattered against the frozen waves.

"Okay, Bree. Breathe." Cara's hand on my arm tightened, and the warmth coming from her increased.

I tried to get a grip on my Ice Drake, but it flung its head back, and screeched.

Need some help here, I sent frantically to Caliel.

I sensed him move in and try to get a grip on the monster. It shrugged him off as though he weren't even there, and hissed at Cara, long tail thrashing.

Her brows lowered. "That's enough." She let me go and raised her glowing hands. "You do not own her. Time to go back to bed." And she pulsed warmth and power through me.

The Ice Drake snapped at the Watcher, who deflected the jaws with a wave of glowing power, and then used it to completely envelop me. Along with it came a wordless music that was oddly familiar. It danced with the energy around my body, but it still didn't push the Drake back where she belonged.

Then Riggs took a long stride toward me and laid the sword against my hide.

The energy pulse that came from it gave me something to mentally grab hold of, and I used it to reach for Caliel. He rode the power, rising from within me to sink mental fingers into the Drake, and yank her back.

She didn't go easily, and it hurt like hell. But between Caliel, Riggs, and Cara, we managed it. Until I lay upon the rapidly thawing sand, panting. My clothes were in shreds, but my scales, fur, and feathers moved quickly across my skin.

Right up to my wrists and throat. I sighed.

Riggs's breathing seemed a bit irregular as he supported me with his arm. The sword lay across my lap. Cara picked up the crystals on their broken cord and handed them to me.

"Could she lose herself to that thing?" Riggs's voice shook.

"I really don't know for sure," Cara stated. "But the possibility exists. I think we will wait a couple of days before trying again—give Bree time to get her crystal dust levels up."

She didn't mention Caliel, but I was sure she was thinking about him. I certainly was. Despite his help beating back the monster, he'd once again subsided deep within me.

"Maybe we shouldn't be doing this at all," Riggs said.

Cara fixed him with a stern look. "Talents and abilities aren't just something you can put on a shelf. If you don't learn to control them, they can, and will, control you. The only way forward, is through."

His lips pulled straight as his arm squeezed, just a little. "Can you stand?" he asked me.

I was shaking all over, but determined to not let this beat me. But I'd be lying if I said I could have stood without Riggs's help. Or remained so, without leaning on him.

"Good thing they've changed the run for today," Cara said briskly.

"They have?" I asked, unable to keep the hope out of my voice.

Her eyes shone a brilliant blue. "Yes. It should be a little easier for you."

"Then we have fight class," Riggs stated. Did I imagine the slight note of trepidation in his voice?

I didn't think I could fight a worm, and said so.

"It's your first class, so they'll go easy on you two." The Watcher stood before the arched stones and spread her arms.

The gate sprang into action, and we linked up to step through into the forest clearing.

As soon as we did so, Cara froze and held up a hand. "Wait here." She walked toward the trees.

Puzzled, I looked around. And then I heard it. The snapping and cracking of branches—and a shredding sound, as though heavier wood was being broken as well.

And then something howled. It sounded nothing like a Dire. This had a hooting undercurrent that ended in a shriek. It echoed through the trees, wild with rage.

The sounds were getting closer. Riggs drew his sword and took a step ahead of me.

The tree came out of nowhere. A tree, not a sapling, hurtling past us to crash into the forest beside the gate.

Riggs pulled us away as I stared at the roots, shuddering with the impact—the entire tree had been ripped straight out of the ground.

A deep, rattling growl drew my attention back to the other side of the clearing—where Cara was facing off with something that towered close to nine feet in height. Covered in long, reddish brown hair, the eyes glared yellow over a flattened nose, and lips were peeled back from long canine teeth. The creature rippled with heavy muscle as it snarled down at the Watcher.

"Sid." Awe filled Riggs's voice as he took a long step forward.

The creature's mouth opened, and it uttered another long, booming howl. Clearly a warning, as was the fact it raised the huge branch it held in one hand.

"Stay back," Cara warned us. "He's not Sid at the moment. But I think I can help him."

I would have felt better if she'd said something more assertive, but we both froze while she took a step closer. Then her flowing white gown fluttered to the ground, and in her place stood a Unicorn.

I'd known about their beast half, of course, but it was the first time I'd seen one. Glowing silvery white, she was a thing of pure, unadulterated beauty. She stood before the Anisau, and her mane and tail waved in almost a mesmerizing pattern as she began to sing.

The wordless melody wove around all of us, and this time, recognition dawned.

It was the song Caliel had sung to me.